Boys Basketball District Preview.

Written Wednesday February 28th at 2:30 PM
Updated Saturday March 3rd at 12:15 AM

These are my insight and projections for the Boys Basketball Districts that are to take place on Monday March 5th with the Pre-District, Wednesday March 7th for the semifinals and Friday March 9th for the finals. Here are my insight and projections for each district.

This article will be updated with the updated information.

District 50 @ Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs Macomb Lutheran North
PONTIAC vs New Haven
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep/Macomb Lutheran North vs Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
PONTIAC/New Haven vs Algonac

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district to look at when you look at the teams. New Haven will come north into this district fresh off winning the Class B State title last season. Pontiac comes down from Class A while everyone else here from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Macomb Lutheran North, Algonac, and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood know each other quite well. The Irish have had a decent season thus far. Algonac, Macomb Luteran North, and Pontiac have had tough seasons. The two top teams in this district will be the teams to keep an eye on.

FAVORITE: New Haven: Anytime you have a player like Romeo Weems whom is getting multiple Division One College looks then you should be the favorite heading into this district. The Rockets so far are undefeated and have not looked back. New Haven looks to be a tough out heading into this district.

TEAM TO WATCH FOR: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood: The Cranes have had a strong bounce back season winning the Catholic League crown in Class C-D for that. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood has won 18 games thus far and will look to have some postseason success this season.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Tim Hauxwell-Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood: Hauxwell is a big body needing to score if need be. He can make a name for himself if he has a strong tournament. Expect Hauxwell at times needing to put the Cranes on his back at times.

PROJECTION: I think this will be a New Haven vs Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood final but end of the day too much Weems and the Rockets move on. PICK: NEW HAVEN.

District 49 @ Birmingham Detroit Country Day

Ferndale University vs Clawson
Madison Heights Lamphere vs Center Line
Ferndale University/Clawson vs FERNDALE
Madison Heights Lamphere/Center Line vs Birmingham Detroit Country Day

INSIGHT: This district is not as strong as people think with one team having a winning record heading into this district. Madison Heights Lamphere, Center Line, Ferndale University, Ferndale, and Clawson have had tough seasons. Birmingham Detroit Country Day has had a bounce back season and is poise to make some noise in the tournament. Wonder if anyone else could make some noise in the district.

FAVORITE: Birmingham Detroit Country Day: The Yellow Jackets are loaded with talent led by Wendell Green for coach Mike Bray. Birmingham Detroit Country Day is also at home, which helps a lot as well. A lot of things favor the Yellow Jackets here.

TEAM TO WATCH OUT FOR: Ferndale: The Eagles chances would had been much better if Deandre Bonaparte didn't transfer to Ecorse but anyway coach Tom Staten's junior heavy team will contend in this district because of players like Keelen Lucas, Teona McKeithen, Brian Pozolo, and Will Scott. Ferndale might be the best team in this district to possibly dethrone Birmingham Detroit Country Day.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Wendell Green-Birmingham Detroit Country Day: This is Green's chance to make some noise for the Yellow Jackets. If Green does then he could be a force especially heading into the later rounds of the tournament. He is getting College looks and looks the part of a Division One prospect.

PROJECTION: I think this will be a Ferndale vs Birmingham Detroit Country Day final here with the hosts moving on. PICK: BIRMINGHAM DETROIT COUNTRY DAY.

District 22 @ Detroit Renaissance

BERKLEY vs Detroit Renaissance
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs Warren Fitzgerald
BERKLEY/Detroit Renaissance vs OAK PARK
Warren Fitzgerald/Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs HAZEL PARK

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district with all of these teams at 500 or better. Hazel Park is a dangerous team that has played a tough schedule. Oak Park won the White crown. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit won the Catholic League A-B crown. Detroit Renaissance is one of the toughest teams in the Detroit Public School League and is the host in the district. Berkley has had a strong start but has lost 10 of it's last 11 games. Warren Fitzgerald is a Macomb County contender as well. This will be a very tough district

FAVORITE: Hazel Park: The senior heavy Vikings have played all comers this season and is not afraid to bring it on despite the fact that they are a small team but they are athletic as well. Hazel Park has Carl Bow, David Hearns, and Devin Pettus leading the charge for coach Brendan Barrett's team. The Vikings believe they can win this tough district because of the schedule they have played and the opportunists they await.

TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Oak Park, Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit, Detroit Renaissance: There are plenty of teams to watch out for in this district that can beat the favorite. Oak Park has the talent to compete with anyone, led by Maliq Carr. Detroit University-Detroit with the talent they have back led by Zach Winston, Elijah Collins and the newly returned Jalen Thomas. Detroit Renaissance is the host in this district and the Phoenix are talented as well.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Zach Winston-Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit: Winston is the younger brother of Cassius whom is at Michigan State. He has been playing well lately for coach Pat Connely's Cubs team. Winston could be the difference maker that could make or break Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit's season.

PROJECTION: I think there are four teams that have great shots of winning this district. Hazel Park has played a brutal schedule. Oak Park has been red hot on route to a White title. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit is getting things together. Detroit Renaissance will be hungry as well. There will be plenty of tense drama in this district. I thought it over after my podcast on Tuesday. I originally picked Hazel Park to win this district on the podcast. After the show, I thought about the Vikings odds and didn't think they would get by the Cubs in a rematch with Thomas back. I see an Oak Park/Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit final in Wayne County with the Cubs moving to the next round. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT.

District 21 @ Southfield Arts and Tech

NORTH FARMINGTON vs SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
HARRISON vs FARMINGTON
NORTH FARMINGTON/SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs GROVES

INSIGHT: This is a wide open district when you look at the teams. There are no champions in each of the leagues these teams are in this season. Despite being at home, Southfield Arts and Tech is still a young team led by Cameron McEvans whom could be a darkhorse impact player in this district. North Farmington and Southfield Arts and Tech played in the Red. Groves in the White. Harrison and Farmington played in the Blue. The Hawks play a Detroit Public School League type of game and is led by Trey Walker, Brandon Cotton, Eddie Lenton, Ken Wesley, and Chris Rexroth. This one could be an interesting district to keep an eye on.

FAVORITE: North Farmington: This one was a tough one to pick because the Raiders are playing better despite going 8-12 this season. They do own wins over Farmington and Harrison. North Farmington is a very young team led by Justin Salaam, Yusuf Jahid, and Donny Dreshaj. The Raiders are well coached by the legendary Negoshian family led by Todd. If there is a team not to bet against it's North Farmington.

TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Groves,  Farmington: There are two sets of Falcons to watch for in this district in the green and gold and the blue and white. The blue and white ones are very talented led by Ray Bryant, Christian Smith, and freshman Terron Humes and Jared Atkins. The green and gold is led by Ollie Rasheed for coach Mark West. Groves has been inconsistent but seems like they are getting their act together at the right time.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Jared Atkins-Farmington: Atkins is only a freshman that not a lot of people know about. Atkins has had a strong season for Farmington, including a 36 point game against Berkley. The Falcons also have other weapons as well for coach Terrance Porter. If Atkins wants to make a name for himself, he can do so in this district.

PROJECTION: Groves and North Farmington will be an interesting game on a big court, pending if the Raiders get by the hosts Southfield Arts and Tech in the pre-district. I think Farmington beats Harrison and meets North Farmington in the final where the Raiders coaching wins them this district. PICK: NORTH FARMINGTON.

District 15 @ West Bloomfield

AVONDALE vs Waterford Kettering
WEST BLOOMFIELD vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS
AVONDALE/Waterford Kettering vs Waterford Mott
WEST BLOOMFIELD/BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Orchard Lake St. Marys

INSIGHT: This will be an interesting district to keep an eye on because you have four of the six teams here that have a great shot at winning this district. Avondale is young and they feature Marton Cole but the Yellow Jackets beat Waterford Mott earlier in the season. Waterford Kettering has no chance in this district and neither does Bloomfield Hills. Orchard Lake St Marys and Waterford Mott have had great seasons and West Bloomfield has bounced back after having an early season rough start.

FAVORITE: West Bloomfield: The Lakers are loaded and they have home court which will be a bonus to be in front of the Swamp. West Bloomfield is led by their strong guard duo of Tre Harvey and Jalen Kelso but the Lakers have others that can contribute like James Faulkner. West Bloomfield coach Jeremy Dehna has done a great job getting the Lakers back to the spot where they want to be at.

TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Orchard Lake St. Marys, Avondale, Waterford Mott: The Eaglets are a loaded team led by Caiden Preiskorn and will look to continue that thus far. The Yellow Jackets are an interesting team despite finishing 11-9 on the year. Avondale is led by Marton Cole and Kobe Anthony for coach Tim Morton. The Corsairs are loaded with talent after winning the Lakes Valley Conference crown led by Ashton Franklin, Mike Hardie, Keimonnee Fields, Tariq Hardy, and David McCullum for former Berkley coach David McGlown

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Caiden Preiskorn-Orchard Lake St. Marys: The pressure will be on Preiskorn to deliver for the Eaglets in this district. The transfer from Orion has had a great season thus far and will likely be the main focal point in taking Orchard Lake St. Marys deep into the postseason.

PROJECTION: This is an interesting district to say the least in front of the Swamp. I think this will be a Waterford Mott/West Bloomfield district final. I think the inside game of the Corsairs could be too much for the host Lakers. PICK: WATERFORD MOTT.

District 16 @ Troy

SEAHOLM vs TROY ATHENS
TROY vs Birmingham Brother Rice
SEAHOLM/TROY ATHENS vs ROYAL OAK

INSIGHT: This is a district where there is a dangerous team lurking in Seaholm. The Maples are a veteran team led by Brady Flynn and Cooper Mixon. Troy is a veteran team fresh off a trip to the State Quarterfinals last season. Troy Athens is a veteran team but has fallen on some hard times a bit. Royal Oak is very young led by Carter Ellis. Birmingham Brother Rice is a middle of the pack team in the Catholic League.

FAVORITE: Troy: The Colts have a veteran team led by Jason Dietz, Leon Ayers, and Danny Sully. They also have home court and are well coached by legendary Gary Fralick. Troy also plays in the Red which is very tough by the way. This looks to be the Colts chance to rise up again.

TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Troy Athens, Seaholm: If there are two teams that could give Troy fits it could be Seaholm and their arch rivals. The Maples are a veteran team led by Brady Flynn and Cooper Mixon for coach Greg DeGeeter. Seaholm has not had the greatest of seasons this year, going 7-13 in the process. The Red Hawks have been much better winning 15 games this season but they have been slumping a little bit losing two of it's last three games. Troy Athens is led by Taylor McCaskill, Clark Joslin, Kyle Sweeney, Brent Stephens, and Jacob Bradley for coach Dave Scott.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Taylor McCaskill-Troy Athens: McCaskill is the Red Hawks veteran leader on a team that has plenty of experience. He has had some big games in the past leading his team to big wins especially in the White. McCaskill will be needed heavily if Troy Athens has a chance to win this district on their arch rival's home floor.

PROJECTION: I think it could be a rematch of last season's district final at Bloomfield Hills but Seaholm will have a much tougher road with a very good Troy Athens team and a dangerous Royal Oak team. Troy should get by Birmingham Brother Rice and win this district in front of the home folks. PICK: TROY.

District 14 @ Stoney Creek

STONEY CREEK vs Romeo
ROCHESTER vs Utica Eisenhower
STONEY CREEK/Romeo vs ADAMS

INSIGHT: This is an interesting district, you have the three Rochester schools along with Romeo and Utica Eisenhower. Stoney Creek and Adams were in the White this season but with different results. The Highlanders rebounded from an 0-21 season last year and went 12-8 on the season with a young team. The Cougars lost Mike Melenagri to a injury in December and not been the same since he went out. Rochester shared the Blue and has rebounded after having a tough season by going 16-4 on the season. Romeo has bounced back since their loss to Lake Orion before Christmas break winning the Macomb Area White title. Utica Eisenhower has had a rough season and might not have a chance in this district.

FAVORITE: Rochester: The Falcons have arguably the two best players in this district in seniors Hunter Schlater and LaMarko Gulledge even though Romeo with Blake McRae and Stoney Creek's Nate Davis may differ. Schlater and Gulledge have been Rochester's best players for first year coach Vance Kirkwood and they will need to be if they want to move on in the district.

TEAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Adams, Stoney Creek, Romeo: The Highlanders are very young led by Ethan Emerzan, Austin Ursuay, Peyton Preiskorn, and Jake Jenkins after turning around an 0-21 season for coach Brad Crighton to win 12 games. Stoney Creek whom won nine games this season has Nate Davis for coach Steve Norgrove along with home court even though they are without Mike Melnagri whom is out for the season. Romeo is led by Blake McRae for coach Marv Cushingberry. It wouldn't surprise anyone if these teams win this district.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Corey Gulledge-Rochester: All the hype will be around Hunter Schlater and LaMarko Gulledge but there will be games where the Falcons need a third scorer and that player could be LaMarko's brother Corey. Corey has the capabilities to take over games if he wants too. Gulledge is the third option in the Rochester offense. If Corey gets going and can take the pressure off his older brother LaMarko and Schlater then look out.

PROJECTION: This is an interesting district to see. I think Rochester got a nice draw with playing Utica Eisenhower. Adams, Stoney Creek, and Romeo will have to go through each other to get to the final. I think this will be a Falcons/Highlanders rematch with the young Adams squad pulling off the upset. PICK: ADAMS.

District 13 @ Clarkston

Holly vs Brandon
ORION vs CLARKSTON
Holly/Brandon vs OXFORD

INSIGHT: This is a district that features the two best teams in this district facing each other in the semifinals. Clarkston has home court and are the defending Class A State Champs. Lake Orion has had a successful season turning around a 4-16 record from a year ago by winning 17 games, giving them a share of the Blue. Oxford has taken a step back after moving up to the White. Holly is solid led by Noah Bayliss. Brandon will struggle in this district.

FAVORITE: Clarkston: The Wolves are loaded with 11 seniors including the likes of CJ Robinson, Nick Wells, Chase Wasilk and two Big Ten recruits in Foster Loyer and Taylor Currie. Clarkston also has home court and is the defending State Champions in Class A. The Wolves did suffer a setback a bit as they might not have Loyer for this district because of a partially torn meniscus he injured against West Bloomfield but he will be reevaluated on Monday to see if he can play or not. Even without Loyer, they have a deep bench led by Matt Nicholson, Hank Schimell, Tieler Houston, and Trysten Mysen for coach Dan Fife.

TEAM TO WATCH OUT FOR: Lake Orion: The Dragons have had a bounce back season, turning a 4-16 record to go 17-3 and a share the Blue crown. Lake Orion is led by Jamie Lewis, Drew Crane, Pierce Burke, Casey Stironek and have emerging players like Nate Talbot, Jack Cummings, Kyle Loken, and Jake Rydquist waiting in the wings for coach Jim Manzo. The Dragons could be in a nice spot for years to come.

PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Michael Raisch-Oxford: The Wildcats have had a rough season in the always tough White finishing at 7-13 but coach Steve Laidlaw has a junior heavy team led by seniors Jimmy Claudio and Nolan Harding. Nolan Hiler, Evan Bruning, D'Wavay Turner, Connor Nicholson, and Trey Townsend will also look to contribute as well. Raisch can hit threes and rebound. He will need to play like a star for Oxford if they want to make a run in this district.

PROJECTION: I think this will be a Clarkston/Oxford district final but the final technically will be in the semifinal game. Anyway the Wolves will move on here. PICK: CLARKSTON.